Illawarra People for Peace has&nbsp;distanced itself from the group's co-founder&nbsp;Wollongong priest Father Ron Peters who is facing historical indecent assault charges. "Father Peters was involved in the establishment of IP4P in 2014 but has not been active in the group since 2017 when he spoke at our annual general meeting,"&nbsp;said IP4P chairman Reverend Geoffrey Flynn in a statement. "Our thoughts are with all who are impacted by this, including the local Catholic community who Father Peters represented and served,"&nbsp;Rev Flynn said.&nbsp; "As a group founded on the values of peace and justice, we hope that these determine the outcome of this ongoing process. Read more: ​Sorry, but Diocese of Wollongong's falsehoods after priest's arrest don't hide the truth "The organising committee of IP4P over the years has included persons from the Uniting Church in Australia, the Roman Catholic Church, Amity College, Illawarra Multicultural Council, the Nan Tien Temple, local Mosques and Anarchists,"&nbsp;the reverend said. Meantime, Illawarra Catholic&nbsp;schools have offered counselling and support to students and&nbsp;families after Father Ron's arrest on March 19 over allegations of indecent assaults on a 15-year-old boy at a high school in the Fairfield area in 1993. Edmund Rice College principal Peter McGovern&nbsp;said the charges "do not relate to any past or current students". "Fr Ron is very well known to our College community and no doubt you will be shocked to learn of these allegations, as indeed I was," Mr McGovern said in a letter to parents.&nbsp;"We have zero tolerance for any kind of abhorrent behaviour such as what has been alleged." Wollongong Diocese Director of Schools Peter Turner criticised media outlets for naming Father Ron. "The NSW Police did not publicly name the person charged and nor should we,"&nbsp;Mr Turner said in a letter to parents. "The priest who is subject to the charges is not currently actively involved in any ministry, including schools, or in any related areas, and this has been the case for some months,"&nbsp;he wrote. &nbsp;"We have rigorous child protection processes in place across our system of schools and our practices, programs and responses to safeguard children are thoroughly planned and implemented. "Finally, for those who are hurting, we look to our loving God for strength and comfort".

Illawarra students offered support after priest charged with indecent assaults

Allegations: Father Ron Peters, who helped start up Illawarra People for Peace, is facing historic indecent assault charges.

Illawarra People for Peace has distanced itself from the group's co-founder Wollongong priest Father Ron Peters who is facing historical indecent assault charges.

"Father Peters was involved in the establishment of IP4P in 2014 but has not been active in the group since 2017 when he spoke at our annual general meeting," said IP4P chairman Reverend Geoffrey Flynn in a statement.

"Our thoughts are with all who are impacted by this, including the local Catholic community who Father Peters represented and served," Rev Flynn said.

"As a group founded on the values of peace and justice, we hope that these determine the outcome of this ongoing process.

"The organising committee of IP4P over the years has included persons from the Uniting Church in Australia, the Roman Catholic Church, Amity College, Illawarra Multicultural Council, the Nan Tien Temple, local Mosques and Anarchists," the reverend said.

Edmund Rice College principal Peter McGovern said the charges "do not relate to any past or current students".

"Fr Ron is very well known to our College community and no doubt you will be shocked to learn of these allegations, as indeed I was," Mr McGovern said in a letter to parents. "We have zero tolerance for any kind of abhorrent behaviour such as what has been alleged."